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Timber

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(pronounced tim-bur)  noun

Definition

(other than the senses to do with wood used as a building material) personal qualities or character, especially a person considered to have attributes suitable for a particular role, position, activity, status, etc.

Main Example

• During the recent Republican presidential debates, each contender for the White House has tried to establish that he or she possesses more presidential timber than the other candidates and is therefore the Republican Party's best choice to unseat President Obama.

Workplace Examples

• Between you and me, this year's crop of summer interns is not quite as promising as in recent years, with one exception--Jessica. The way she has willingly taken on additional responsibilities and successfully handled even some of our most recalcitrant employees proves she is definitely managerial material, managerial timber.
• You know, most sales managers in our company would jump at the chance to become vice president of sales for North America. It would be a major promotion. But, during a recent offsite conference, Ethan, who is sales manager for the Southwest, simply said he is not ready, that he needs another year or two to be fully prepared for such onerous responsibilities. I believe that in itself shows the guy is top leadership timber.

Other Examples

• an employee remarking: "I just hope when our CEO, Rob, retires in a couple of years, the board of directors can find someone of his timber to run this behemoth of a company in the same stellar manner that Rob has done."
• a colleague saying: "Ever since Marilyn joined the company as marketing manager, she's being talked up as top executive timber. There is not a soul here who is not impressed by her leadership qualities."
• during a chat between two college football fans, one saying to the other: "I agree Joel is a great quarterback, but, unlike you, I do not think he is NFL timber."
• the sexual assault charges in New York against then-IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn derailing the political career of someone who had been widely hailed in France as presidential timber

© 2012 V.J. Singal
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